My Room Mate from the Pack

What even was he to me? Roommate? Emotional support blanket? Bad idea with excellent cheekbones? The reason my therapist was going to raise her rates? Of course, just when I thought my brain was finally winding down, it tossed in a bonus round: Eric. The ghost of relationships past. A familiar ache coiled low in…

Groaning, I shoved off the covers and grabbed my robe. My hair was a mess, my mouth tasted like sleep and self-pity, and if it was a solicitor, they were about to get hit with both barrels of morning-Maggie. I cracked the door open. Seraphina. In stilettos and a backless silk slip that looked like…

“Karaoke,” he repeated, teeth gleaming, eyes sparkling with unholy delight. “It’s a pack tradition. Builds trust. Builds community.” Roman, ever the voice of reason, spoke up before I could melt into the floor. “That’s not necessary, Lucien. We’re here to socialize, not perform.” “Oh, it’s absolutely necessary. I can tell everything I need to know…

I hadn’t expected him to actually agree. Not without at least three sarcastic remarks and a short monologue about boundaries. But he walked to the bench and sat down like this was a perfectly normal way to spend the afternoon. My heart stumbled. Still, I followed. Because I wasn’t about to back down after pushing…

I rolled back onto all fours and padded toward the edge of the woods, where I shifted back, bones snapping and reshaping until I was just a guy again. A naked, tired guy carrying the weight of a kiss that shouldn’t have meant anything. I dressed slowly, dragging the hoodie over my head and dusting…

So I looped my arm through his. He gave me a subtle squeeze, then we walked inside. The place smelled expensive, like citrus and money and something spicy I couldn’t place. The marble floors were polished to a mirror shine, and the ceiling above us stretched so high it could host its own weather system.…

“Six,” I said. She blinked. “How the hell do you know that?” “I helped you unpack, remember? I pay attention.” She stared at me for a second too long, and I pretended not to notice how flustered she looked. I turned back to the racks, holding up a fitted midi skirt in a deep plum…

I cleared my throat and tried not to smirk. “So… pet names?” “No.” “Hear me out,” I said, inching onto the couch. “Snuggle beast.” Her eyes narrowed. “If you call me that in public, I’ll smother you in your sleep.” I pressed my hand to my chest. “Magsie-Pie?” She hit me with a pillow. Eventually,…

“I shift naked ! What do you want, a werewolf in tearaway pants?” She blinked. Considered it. Honestly? I think she liked the idea. More knocking, and then a key turned. Was Doris using her landlord key? She pushed the door open, but the latch lock caught the door before opening farther than three inches.…

“So, what’s my little sunshine bean in the mood for? Jam? Pickles? Eternal torment?” I didn’t even look at him. “I swear, if you call me ‘sunshine bean’ again, I will end you.” “Oh, peach fuzz.” He sighed dramatically, as if I’d just whispered a love confession instead of a threat. “Don’t tease me.” I…